National Work Zone Awareness Week April 17-21, 2023
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign to encourage safe driving through highway work zones at the start of construction season. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones.
The City of La Marque is reminding drivers to prioritize safe driving when passing through over 3,100 active work zones in Texas in recognition of National Work Zone Awareness Week. Work zone crashes have been a major concern, with over 26,000 traffic crashes resulting in 244 fatalities and 856 serious injuries in 2021. Of those fatalities, motorists and their passengers accounted for the majority, with 195 deaths, followed by 38 pedestrians, four bicyclists, and three roadside construction workers. The leading causes of these crashes were speeding and driver inattention.
Driver safety
Work zones present a different and sometimes challenging environment for drivers to navigate. Motorists may encounter uneven pavement, narrow lanes, concrete barriers, slow-moving heavy equipment, and vehicles that make sudden stops. Please keep the following tips in mind when driving through work zones:
- Slow down, follow the posted work zone speed limit, and adjust your driving to match the conditions.
- Pay attention. Avoid distractions, keep your mind on the road, and put your phone away.
- Don’t tailgate. Give yourself room to stop in a hurry. Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of work zone crashes.
- Watch out for road crews. The only protective gear they wear is reflective clothing, a hard hat, and safety boots. Remember, they want to get home safely too.
- Allow extra time. Road construction can slow things down. Count on it and plan for it.
More work to do
TxDOT continues to work on increased safety measures and public outreach efforts to educate motorists about driving in work zones. We encourage everyone, from engineers and planners to drivers and pedestrians, to take responsibility for work zone safety. As part of this outreach, we remind drivers of the state's Move Over/Slow Down law. It requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching a TxDOT vehicle, emergency vehicle, law enforcement, tow truck, or utility vehicle stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside or shoulder. Violation of this law can result in a fine of up to $2,000.